Money problems at ‘Money Machine’

Publishing Date : 09 October, 2017

Author : MOSIMANEGAPE TSHOSWANE

Hailed “The money machine”, Gaborone United is in the middle of a financial storm. So precarious is the situation that even the coach, Rudolph Zapata is considering leaving the club. The club’s debts reportedly keep bulging.

The Argentinean born coach has had a stuttering start to the premier league- playing to a stalemate in each of his two games- results that prematurely leave more questions than answers about his status at the club otherwise known as the “Money Machine.”
Reports reaching WeekendSport suggest that the team is battling to pay him according to the terms of his contract that does not expire until the end of June 2018. While is it common knowledge that GU, like any other premier league club, is deeply troubled by lack of finances, factionalism at the heart of the club management is not helping the situation.

The loss of their long standing technical partners in Est 67(GU’s in house brand) further complicates matters. But other reports linking former Zebras head coach Peter Butler to the club also mean that GU is a team administered by two centres of power. Some members who are close associates of former club chief financer Nicholas Zakhem’s loyalties lie with the controversial coach, who had a short stint with Rustenburg outfit, Platinum Stars. Zapata is said to have heard about the intended grand plan to oust him, and failure by the club to pay him leaves him even more confused. Sources say he has enquired about job vacancies elsewhere, but club Chairman Okaile Rapula is said to have vowed to stick by him, for better and for worse.

Efforts to solicit comment from Zapata proved fruitless as his phone rang unanswered. Having made impressive signings during the past transfer window, GU was seen by many to be a club ready to take the fight back to long standing city rivals Township Rollers. As things stand, Rollers is on its own league, having won the premier league a record 5 times, while GU has prevailed once since Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) powered the league in 2009.

City Senne, former GU central defender, and now the club’s Secretary General calls for calmness amid the club’s troubles. “Yes there is a problem of money, but there is an understanding between us and the players. It is not that we have neglected them, we are really trying,” he further noted. Senne also highlighted that the problem at GU is the same with other elite league teams who are still waiting for the grants to pay players. He mentioned that whatever they find they communicate with them to enhance this understanding.

Gaborone United is expected to play a friendly game with Peleng side, Extension Gunners over the weekend. The game is organized as part of celebrations as Lobatse enjoys 120 years of existence while on the other hand, Gunners make merry on their 55th birth year. There is hope that some money will be made out of the game. Senne also noted that close to 80% of GU players are residing in Zakhem’s houses- a more favorable situation when it comes to rental expenses.